Mandarin Camp Day 5

What a wonderful morning it was. The weather was absolutely beautiful with not a cloud in the sky.

The Brown Team had a big day today. They went river tracing in the big river. There are two streams that run through camp. Most of the kids go river tracing in the smaller river, but some of the older kids are capable of a slightly bigger challenge. This trip takes both morning activity periods plus a little bit more. The leave early after breakfast and get back in time for a late lunch. In the big river, there are more difficult areas to climb, and some pools that are actually large enough to swim in and to jump (not dive) into from the rocks.

The Purple Team's first period was ecology. Camp is a great place for kids to explore in all the little pools and bushes. They catch little shrimp crabs and fish in the little streams, and there are lots of grasshoppers and praying mantises. It really sparks their curiosity and gives them a chance to get their hands on some of the things they have learned about in school. For their second period they did another craft project. This project was similar to the water bottle they did the other day, but this time they made bracelets or necklaces.

In the afternoon, the Brown Team played Pillow Polo and the Purple Team had another turn at river tracing. This was actually a free choice period where they can choose their activity, and they chose to return to the river. It was a good choice given how hot it was today. Instead of starting at the beginning and following it to the end, they took a giant beach ball and went right to the last pool where they played a lot of games they didn't have time for the other day.

For the final afternoon period, both teams together played a game called Happy Happy Joy Joy. It is a bit of a silly game, but it is one of my favorites. It is a two-team capture-and-rescue game. The teams start on opposite sides of a dividing line, and each team has a hula-hoop base containing a Pikachu or other Pokémon character that they must protect.

The goal is to cross into the other team’s side, steal their Pokémon, and bring it back to your own base while also defending your own Pokémon. If a player crosses the line and gets tagged, they must squat down where they were tagged. They can be rescued by a teammate, and once rescued, the two players link arms or hold hands and walk back to their side while singing “Happy Happy Joy Joy.” While they are singing and returning, they cannot be stopped or tagged.

After dinner, we will have our evening program. Party Night is always one of the most exciting evening programs of the week. The counselors dress up and transform the activity area into a mix between a North American carnival and a Taiwanese night market, with different game booths for the campers to visit. Each camper gets tokens to use as they try the games, cheer each other on, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Usually, we turn the lights down and turn the music up and it becomes a big dance party toward the end of the evening. With this smaller group of mostly boys, I am not sure if that will happen this time. Will have to see how it goes. In any case, Party Night is one of those events that campers often remember long after the week is over.

Overall, it has been a great week. The kids were full of spirit and seemed to have a good time. Some of the kids really challenged themselves to speak Mandarin. Some of the kids struggled with it a bit more, but they were good sports about trying to understand at least.

The link below goes to the entire folder for the whole week. I will add tomorrow's pictures, but there will not be new blog tomorrow.

I would like to thank all of you for entrusting us with your children. It is an honor and a responsibility that we take very seriously. We hope that all of the children created memories that will last a lifetime.

A couple of quick reminders. We are planning to be back at the Taipei Gymnasium at 2:45. Tomorrow is a holiday, so we don't know how the traffic will be. We could be a little earlier or later. If you are driving, please do not park on the yellow line so that there is room for our buses to pull in.

Best regards,

The Camp Taiwan Team

Dropbox link for the whole week